Depth
Citharus · Bony Fish

Spotted Flounder

Citharus linguatula

10-300m
Depth Range
30cm
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
10-300m
Depth Range
30cm
Max Size
Sandy / Muddy
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Solitary
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Moderate
Sighting Likelihood
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassActinopterygii
GenusCitharus
Specieslinguatula

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationSmall, elongated flatfish with both eyes on the left side. Sandy brown body with scattered darker spots and blotches. Dorsal and anal fins form a continuous fringe around most of the body.
  • SizeUp to 30 cm total length, commonly 12 to 20 cm.
  • Social HabitSolitary and strictly bottom-dwelling. Lies flat on sandy and muddy substrates.
  • HabitatSandy and muddy bottoms from the coast to the outer continental shelf.
  • Depth10 to 300 m, most common between 20 and 100 m.
  • Feeds OnSmall crustaceans, worms, and fish found on or near the seabed.
  • DistributionEastern Atlantic from Portugal to Senegal, including the Mediterranean Sea.
  • DescriptionA common flatfish on Mediterranean sandy bottoms that is well camouflaged against the substrate. It can rapidly change its colouration and pattern to match the surrounding sand. Commercially fished in some areas but too small for much culinary interest. Divers may spot one when it is startled into a brief, fluttering swim above the bottom.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Found on sandy and muddy substrates from 10 to 300 m depth, most common between 20 and 150 m. Prefers flat, open areas of the continental shelf.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Favours soft sediment plains where it can partially bury itself for camouflage. Common on sandy bays, harbour approaches, and open shelf habitats.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Spotted Flounder species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

Ambushes small fish, crustaceans, and worms from its concealed position on the seabed. Strikes rapidly when prey passes within range.

Lie-and-wait predator

Reproduction

Spawns from winter to spring in coastal waters. Pelagic eggs hatch into symmetrical larvae that undergo metamorphosis, with one eye migrating to the upper side.

Metamorphic larvae

Behaviour & Defence

Relies almost entirely on camouflage, burying in sediment with only its eyes exposed. Can rapidly change skin shading to match surrounding substrate.

Burial camouflage

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Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Citharus linguatula may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red ListLeast Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide